Find out your reading speed in only 5 minutes

Children learn to read within this range of reading speed. If a learner does not progress past this range, the reading ability is considered to be that of borderline literacy.

100 – 200 wpm

Within this range, a reading speed quite typical of someone who has done only the absolute minimum of reading that is necessary to get by in life. Within this range, it’s almost impossible to stay updated with world events, technology, etc.

200 – 250 wpm

This is considered an average reading range. Without getting help, most readers will be stuck here for their entire reading lives.

250 – 350 wpm

Reading speeds in this range are slightly above-average of that of most readers. It is usual to find post-high school graduates or casually keen readers scoring these rates. Typically, readers here understand a little more than half of what they read.

350 – 500 wpm

If you score a reading speed within this range, you are well above that of average speed. As a result, your comprehension and understanding is usually quite good (50% – 75%). You probably enjoy reading. You still suffer from occasional regressions and sub-vocalization. This is because your mind still drifts away from your reading.

500 – 800 wpm

Now this is a very respectable and useful reading speed. It is giving you excellent comprehension (75% and above). You find reading pleasurable and you have good control over your daily reading study and office needs. After all, you found the book better than the movie, didn’t you?

800 – 1000 wpm

This is becoming ‘power-reading‘. You usually completely understand what you read. You have no reading pressures or reading time problems. You are most likely a top-class student or high business achiever. A reading speed here is typical of someone who has done quality reading improvement program.

1000 wpm & faster

You are either a natural or tutored speed reader. Readers above these speeds most often completely understand what they have read. You regularly enjoy two or more novels per week.

How’d you do?

Chances are these small changes could quickly get your reading speed up.

Here are 2 techniques to start reading faster today

1. Avoid regression while reading.

Have you ever read a whole page of text and stoppedto think to yourself,

“I have no clue what I just read.”

This happens to everyone from time to time, and it’s an issue with concentration & focus.

Sometimes our mind wanders while reading, especially if the text is boring and doesn’t manage to piqué your interest.

This technique will help you fight regression, and focus more while you’re reading.

Practice It Now (15 minutes):

You should commit at least 15 minutes to this exercise to make it effective.

You’ll need the following materials available:

A book you’ll enjoy reading.

A folded white piece of paper.

Step 1:

Get yourself in the mood for reading. Do whatever YOU need to do to focus better. Find a quiet spot, make yourself some tea or coffee and grab your book of choice.

Step 2:

Place the blank piece of paper on top of your book, right above where you’re going to start reading. As you read, move the paper down to prevent you from regressing and clarifying what you’ve just read.

Do this for 15 minutes or more to really get the hang of it.

Now read on and learn about the reading habit that slows people down the most.

2. Stop Subvocalizing

Subvocalizing is the voiceyou hear in your head while you’re reading.

Don’t worry – this doesn’t mean that you’re crazy!

Subvocalization is common among all readers.You’ve probably noticed yourself saying eachand every word in your head as you readthrough your texts. But there’s a really big reason this isn’t a good habit to have.

Chances are, you’ve seen the words you read thousands of times before. You don’t NEED to say the word to understand what it means.

For example, when you’re driving a car and you seea stop sign, do you say “stop” in your head?

Probably not.

But if the word “stop” was in the middle of someparagraph you were reading, you probably wouldsay “stop” in your head and that’s partof the issue with subvocalization.

Subvocalization limits our reading speed to the speed at which we think the words in our head..

If you’re saying every word in your head,doesn’t that mean you’ll only read as fast as you talk?

And there’s a limit to how fast you can talk.

This technique will take some time to get right. You’ll have to consciously practice to stop subvocalization while reading. Eventually it’ll become second nature.

Your goal isn’t to read quickly here, just to learn to prevent yourself from subvocalizing.

Practice It Now (15 minutes):

You’ll need the following materials available:

A book you’ll enjoy reading.

Read your book like you normally would, except start to repeat out loud the numbers “2-4-6-8-10.”

After you reach 10, continue reading, but start-over, 2-4-6-8-10, until you read to the bottom of the page. Don’t focus on the counting, let it become a mindless song, a jingle.

By talking while reading, you’re preventing yourself from getting the chance to subvocalize what you’re reading.

Keep doing this & reading faster will come very naturally.

Practice these 2 techniques and you’ll be completely amazed at the kind of results you can get in a short span of time.

About the author

Dimitry Apollonsky

I'm a growth marketing pro that works with early stage companies to help them gain traction and reach their milestones through user acquisition, user retention and revenue growth.